Why a Community (Pooled) Supplemental Needs Trust?

If you meet the medical criteria for government benefits, such as NYS Medicaid or SSI, but have concerns about asset limits affecting your eligibility, a Supplemental Needs Trust can help you preserve your assets while maintaining access to these vital programs.

While benefits like NY State Medicaid support residential, health, and safety needs for individuals in NY State with disabilities, the ability to shelter additional funds in a community trust means the freedom and independence to vacation, supplement rent, enjoy entertainment and other recreational, life-enhancing activities that benefits do not cover.

Administering a Special or Supplemental Needs Trust can be more complicated than managing other trusts.

With a Community Supplemental Needs Trust, also known as Pooled SNT, a non-profit organization acts as Trustee. They handle investing funds, making payments, paying taxes, and keeping detailed financial records. This involves understanding government regulations and programs, including specific rules about using supplemental needs assets. Failing to follow these rules can jeopardize one’s eligibility for government benefits based on financial need.

Beneficiaries maintain their own private accounts for personal needs. The trustee “pools” the accounts together for management and investment purposes, allowing for greater diversity and lower administrative cost.

Individual Supplemental Needs Trust accounts that are pooled together in this manner are referred to as “Sub-Accounts”.

You do not need to be a member of a CCO to apply for or open an account with My Choice Trust.